Detroit singer Dwele has relied on gentleness and mood-setting for much of his career. He never projected the sultriness of D’Angelo or even the catchy tone of Musiq, but he always had an intangible vibe that attracted listeners. His tempered crooning was consistent and reliable, a trait endeared by some and criticized by others. And there lies the problem with Dwele; he is good but rarely great.
Sketches of a Man is a one person show starring the love me or hate me singer. As he did on 2003’s Subject and 2005’s Some Kinda, Dwele self-produced and wrote the vast majority of his third release. Only 4 of 20 tracks embrace the spirit of collaboration, but each guest adds something noteworthy. Slum Village injects hip-hop into the swing of “Brandi,” and producer Nottz‘s popping piano saves “A Few Reasons (The Truth Pt.2)” from cringe-worthy lyrics that reference Jell-O, MySpace and Soulja Boy. But it’s not until “I’m Cheatin'” that listeners hear the strongest testament to the value of teamwork. G1, who also produced the hit “Find A Way,” provides soulful guitar twangs that reinforce a clever tale of desire and faith. Before revealing the special nature of his dream love affair, Dwele pushes limits by singing, “You sexy as hell, but you know my girlfriend too/She say things about ya, like how you’s a freak at night/How you do things she’d never/ I never get the pleasure.”
A blend of smooth jazz and soul dominates Sketches of a Man, which is heavy on interludes and tributes to all things cool. While Dwele‘s previous efforts matched his relaxed tones with lively music, his latest release favors a more tranquil soundtrack. Slow burners like “Love Ultra” and “70’s” have similarly matter-of-fact melodies stripped down to choice snaps and guitar strumming. This template is ignored for funkier tracks like “Feels So Good” and “Body Rock.” Both songs mesh the sensuality of dance floors and bedrooms, but the stirring tone of “Body Rock” is in stark contrast with the rest of the album. The electric guitar and pulsating sound effects have more in common with “Love In This Club” than the vintage Motown soul that Dwele often invokes. It’s a shame the singer isn’t as daring more often because he wouldn’t benefit from venturing out of his comfort zone. Sketches of a Man features warm melodies and Dwele‘s signature octave, but nothing else that can set it apart from standard neo-soul.
